Scotland

David Livingstone Memorial Primary School

The £6.6 million David Livingstone Memorial Primary School in Blantyre will launch a new generation of children who are eager to explore the exciting world of education.

As part of South Lanarkshire Council’s flagship school programme, the project will see the demolition of the existing Morven Avenue and the construction of a replacement building that will incorporate nursery accommodation on the site.

Accommodation will be provided mainly over one floor and will include thirteen classrooms, a gym/assembly hall, staffrooms, cloakrooms and toilets. In addition, there will be a kitchen and office and storage facilities.

A David Livingstone Additional Support Needs (ASN) base will also be incorporated as part of the new build, which will incorporate playground areas and a MUGA pitch located from the central courtyard out towards Morven Avenue and beyond.

The main vehicle access for staff and services has continued to be taken from Lime Grove, whilst there is also additional access for cars and pedestrians and a drop-off area and visitor car park.

Work began onsite in April 2011 and is expected to be completed in June 2012.

South Lanarkshire Council’s £850 million flagship programme will refurbish or rebuild every primary school in the area by 2016. Although there were fears that the project would have to be put on hold, an amended programme was approved at the Council’s Executive Committee on 26th January 2011.

In total, 50 brand new primaries and 3 refurbishments have been completed and around 50 percent of school children are now enjoying school life in modern and bright surroundings.

A further 12 establishments are currently under construction, including Milton Primary School, Newfield Primary School and High Mill Primary School.

Councillor Eddie McAvoy said:

“It is a busy time for education in South Lanarkshire and the fact that all of our Primary Schools will be rebuilt or refurbished over the next few years – despite the tough financial climate – is testament to the importance we place on our young people.

“These new and refurbished buildings provide ideal environments for our young people to prosper and grow. The buildings will inspire youngsters to learn and will give teachers the very best modern surroundings in which to teach.

“The first-class sports facilities at these schools will benefit local areas too, as they can be used by the public in the evenings and weekends and will see schools regain their focus at the hub of local communities.”

Councillor Graham Scott, Chair of the Planning Committee, added:

“The Council is currently in the process of reviewing the Primary Schools Modernisation Programme to carefully consider how best to deliver the project, given the tough financial climate we face.

“Nonetheless, today’s decision marks another step forward in a project which has already put more than 10,000 primary school aged children – more than 40% – in state-of-the-art learning environments, and is to be warmly welcomed.”

About David Livingstone

David Livingstone was a Scottish Congregationalist pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and an explorer in Africa. Born in Blantyre, he was one of the first Europeans to explore the central and southern parts of Africa and is credited with the discovery of Lake Nyasa in 1858, the Chilwa River in 1859 and the Nile River.

As a result of his travels, David Livingstone learned more about African customs, geography and the slave trade than any other European in history. His expeditions helped to teach the world about the continent of Africa.

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